The Government has announced that Cashback will be available to householders in England and Wales who make energy saving home improvements under the Green Deal, from January 2013. The Green Deal Cashback Scheme is a first-come, first-served offer. Green Deal Participants may want to encourage their customers to get Green Deal assessments early so, when the scheme opens, customers are ready to apply.
Energy Secretary Ed Davey said:
“The Green Deal will provide unprecedented choice for consumers wanting to improve their homes and make them more energy efficient. This cash back offer will help get the Green Deal off to a flying start.
“The Green Deal also presents a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes to take advantage of this transforming market – and now is a critical time. Whatever your business does in this sector, the Green Deal will have an impact. So I say to businesses large and small – gear up, get training and get ready to take advantage of the Green Deal.”
Further details are available on the DECC website and in this Quick Guide.
£40m for local energy bill blitz
The Government has announced a £40 million competition aimed at driving local initiatives to boost energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty and encourage collective switching and purchasing. The competition, run by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), has three strands, each with a separate pot of money. Full eligibility is set out in the competition scheme guidance.
Energy Secretary Edward Davey said:
“With prices rising and temperatures dropping, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to help vulnerable householders keep warm this winter. This funding will put local councils at the heart of action to get energy bills down, for instance helping low income householders upgrade old inefficient heating systems and insulate draughty homes.
“As well as helping even more councils showcase the benefits of energy efficiency, this funding will support the launch of initiatives to enable local residents to save money by clubbing together to get a better energy deal.”
Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Resources for Local Authorities
Government has published Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Resources for Local Authorities. It brings together tools, models, case studies and datasets to support local authority project planning and delivery on climate change mitigation in the built environment. It will also help those preparing reports on measures they propose to take to improve the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in their areas as required by new guidance under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.